The Professional Doctorate in Public Policy and Governance at UNSW is designed for policymakers seeking leadership roles in public policy development. This degree combines postgraduate coursework study in advanced policy work with doctoral research. Our professional degree in applied research draws on your real-world policy knowledge and develops your policy leadership, expertise and research skills.
Working with Australian leaders in public policy and governance, students will develop broad research and analytical skills, conducting their own original research that will contribute to academic scholarship in their area of interest.
Structure
The Professional Doctorate in Public Policy and Governance is a three-year degree including one year of coursework and two years of research. The minimum length of the degree is three years, and the maximum length is four years. Enrolment is full time or part-time.
Coursework
All coursework must be completed before the commencement of the dissertation. The coursework can be completed before admission to the Professional Doctorate in Public Policy and Governance through the UNSW Master of Public Policy and Governance, enabling Advanced Standing entry.
Core courses will provide a solid grounding in policy analysis and the policy process, giving you the opportunity to specialise in a range of areas which may include:
- social policy
- international development policy
- policy management.
Research
In the research component of the degree, candidates undertake supervised research, producing a thesis of no more than 60,000 words in length.
Opportunities
Leadership in professional policy work requires experience, in-depth applied study and sophisticated research skills. The Professional Doctorate in Public Policy and Governance prepares mid-career policymakers for policy leadership roles within their relevant professional field.
Unlike other postgraduate research degrees, the Professional Doctorate in Public Policy and Governance combines coursework with research. Candidates will develop broad research and analytical skills, and undertake advanced research specific to their area of interest. The degree is led by the School of Social Sciences in collaboration with two leading centres in public policy – UNSW’s Social Policy Research Centre and the Centre for Social Research in Health.
The centres will participate in the degree in a supervisory capacity, providing a unique opportunity for candidates to work with Australia’s leading researchers in the area.
Entry requirements
- A minimum two years post-qualifying professional policy practice experience within either the government, non-government or private sectors.
- A demonstrated capacity for independent research under the guidance of a supervisor at the doctoral level.
- A first or upper-class 2nd (Distinction) Honours degree or equivalent in an associated discipline such as social sciences or policy.
Advanced standing entry pathway
A minimum two years post-qualifying professional policy practice experience within the government, non-government or private sectors.
A demonstrated capacity for independent research under the guidance of a supervisor.
A Masters (Coursework) degree with a distinction average and a significant research component, minimum equivalent 18 units of credit consisting of methodology training and a standalone research project.
Handbook
For program rules and structure, see the UNSW Handbook.